Introduction : In a book titled Younger Next Year, Chris Crowley and Doctor Henry S. Lodge tell us how men can live like fifty-year-olds until well into their eighties. They tell us three ways to enjoy life and be stronger, healthier, and more alert. First, we should exercise at least an hour a day six days a week to be strong. Second, we should avoid oily food and eat vegetables instead. Third, we should live happily and have good relationships with our spouse and neighbors. Following these simple rules will help prevent us from getting sick so we do not have to go to the hospital to see a doctor because of serious illness. Our Christian lives can be compared in a similar way. Before we cry out to God after trials and troubles have already come upon us, we should live the right kind of Christian life so that we can avoid bringing trouble upon ourselves.


1. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness
    1) When we are in between the kingdom of God and the world.
        That is, which should we serve, God or the world?
        - Jesus chose His kingdom. (Mt 4:10, 22:37-38, Jn 12:26)
    2) When we are in between the justice of Jesus and the greed of the world, which
        should we follow? (Mt 6:24, 1Jn 2:16)
    3) When we have a right relationship with God, it is possible to receive all things from
        His infinite resources. (Ps 100:3, Mt 7:11)

2. Do not sow amiss
    - A person reaps what he/she sows. (Gal 6:7-8)
    1) Honor your parents. (Ex 20:12, Eph 6:1-3)
    2) Do not murder - hatred (1Jn 3:15)
    3) Do not commit adultery - family troubles, venereal disease.
        (Heb 13:4, 1Co 3:16-17, 6:18)
    4) Do not steal. (Mal 3:8-9, 1 Co 6:10)
    5) Do not give false testimony against your neighbor - accusation.
        (Rev 12:10, Pro 19:5, 12:22)
    6) Do not covet what your neighbor has - preventing others from being successful.
        (Eph 5:3, Col 3:5)

3. Practice love
    - Humanity should live together. In order to do so:
    1) We should serve others - the proud serve only themselves.
        (Pro 16:18, 1Pe 5:5, Mk 10:45, Jn 13:14, Heb 6:10)
    2) We should love by giving - we have to remove greed.
        - God always gives and the devil always grasps.
            (Jn 3:16, 10:10, Lk 6:38, Mt 7:12, Pro 11:25, Eph 5:33)

4. We should live by faith
    1) Study the Word and believe it. (Jn 5:39, Heb 11:3, Ro 10:17, Ps 119:105, Jos 1:8)
    2) Always be positive in life and have hope. (1 Pe 2:9, Ro 8:32, Php 4:13, Ps 91:1-7)
    3) Always pray and do not be despondent.
        (Jn 15:7, Mt 7:7, Ps 81:10, Jer 33:2-3, Lk 18:7, Mk 11:23)


Conclusion : If we have the right priorities before God and believe that we will reap what we sow, we can live with goodness and love that is the source of life. If we trust, obey, and serve Him faithfully, we can help prevent trouble in our lives and be blessed.